Jeeps from the Underground climb trails

Thursday

Chad Manseau, 31, of Palmer, and five other Jeep owners and riders traverse rock-strewn trails are members of Underground Jeeps.

The group was founded in 2004 by Joseph Kaminski of Leicester. These Jeeps that have been modified so they can negotiate almost any rock or small boulder. The riders say they seek to open up new public land for use but have run into some roadblocks.

On a recent run on a steep, rocky trail that disappeared into the woods, the six Jeeps formed a line and Mr. Manseau got out of the vehicle and let air out of each tire, allowing the tires to cradle the rocks. Mr. Manseau said he likes his tires at 8 pounds, down from 30 pounds.

“I get great traction,” he said.

Members carry air compressors to inflate the tires for street travel.

The lead Jeep has body armor, so if it bumps a tree, it won’t be dented. Others have rocker guards along the sides, so if they hit a rock, the bodies won’t be damaged. All vehicles have toe points or shackles to pull the Jeep out of any problem. All have seatbelts and CBs so members can communicate. The vehicles have roll cages and custom mufflers.

Members generally choose Jeeps because they are designed to be off-road vehicles. The Jeeps come with a skid plate under the gas tank to protect it and a belly skid that protects the transfer case and transmission. All are equipped with off-road tires with large, heavy tread. All Jeeps have lockers, meaning all four wheels will spin, although only one wheel may have traction. Mr. Manseau’s Jeep sports a high-lift jack — these jeeps are too high for a regular jack — and a shovel. Both items are mounted on the hood. He has a hand-held Global Positioning System made specifically for four-wheelers. Trail maps are downloaded. A satellite radio rounds out the equipment.

Mr. Kaminski, 29, built up the club as a family sport and Mr. Manseau said a baby as young as 6-months-old went for a trail ride buckled in a car seat. Other drivers and riders are: Kristen Dwyer, riding with Jason Newcomb, both of New Hampshire; Matt Powderly and Ryan Powderly of Sandwich; and Bill Watkins of Wilbraham.

The ride is rocky, precarious, and heart-stopping. For Mr. Manseau, the thrill is being able to build his Jeep to withstand the abuse.

“I love to see how far I can go with this vehicle. This is mild ,” he said of the jolting ride.

Mr. Watkins swears after negotiating a treacherous, rocky stretch.

Underground Jeeps is a nonprofit organization and a member of the East Coast Four Wheel Drive Association based in Pennsylvania.

Underground Jeeps meet up with other four-wheelers including Bruce Conroy Jr., 37, chairman of Region D. He explains some members of the association have been cooperating with state and federal agencies for about 35 years trying to increase the number of trails they can ride. In Massachusetts, they work with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, trying to get it to approve recreational areas for 4WD vehicles weighing more than 1,000 pounds, but have been unsuccessful.

Mr. Conroy says Gary Briere, bureau chief in the DCR, opposes the four-wheelers using public land, because existing trails are unsustainable, he was told. Current trails were not designed for such vehicle use, and the DCR is not opening trails to them. The four-wheelers would like trails that are rocky, and the DCR said it is not going to create such trails, although the four-wheelers have offered their help.

“We send representatives to all DCR forestry and recreation meetings and continue to request recreational opportunities. We have access to 4,500 acres of private land that owners allow us to use in New England and New York. We have 11 clubs in Region D, and we do competitive racing, rock crawling and off-road racing. Region D is mostly recreational trail use (wheeling),” Mr. Conroy said.

Mr. Briere said in a telephone interview that for over 20 years, state regulations state no vehicles over 1000 pounds may go on trails in state forests and the parks system. These rules are the foundation for the DCR’s current position. Off-highway motorcycles or dirt bikes are allowed in only eight locations in Massachusetts. All terrain vehicles are allowed in only four locations in the western part of the state.

One reason for not allowing 4Wheelers is that the heavier vehicles require a wider trail that would be difficult to maintain.

“The size and weight (of the Jeeps) is inconsistent with our mission, and they are disproportionate to the use of the state forest. About 80 percent of the people like to walk on the trails, and bicycling is a passive use too. Seven or 8 percent are off-highway vehicles, and the Jeeps are an even smaller group that want to use the trails. We have to make the trails available to a wide range of users, and we have to make decisions about who uses the trails. The Jeeps are the smallest group who have the biggest impact (on the trails), and it’s too much of an impact,” Mr. Briere said.

Mr. Conroy continues to describe the land they can use. “When a town legally discontinues a road, the land it is on reverts to the abutting land owners. Every town that this road goes through must agree to the road closure. We cannot use a discontinued road. On the other hand, an unmaintained road remains on the official list, and remains a legal right of way. We use these areas for recreation as they are the only legal venues, other than private land, that are accessible to us in Massachusetts.”

Annual dues of $35 for members of Underground Jeeps help to pay for membership in the EC4WDA. Everyone does community service: trail cleanup, food drives, and Toys for Tots drives.

Mr. Kaminski said he is proud of all the work Underground Jeeps does to keep trails open and clean. Members in the past have hauled out 17 vehicles filled with trash, scrap metal, tires, and a washing machine from this particular trail.

Mr. Manseau noted they ride different trails every other weekend. No alcohol or drinking is allowed.

“We can go places where most people never see,” Mr. Kaminski said.

This trail runs along power lines that loop away to the horizon. Lines can go for miles and some stretch to Canada. Four-wheelers must get permission from the power companies to ride these trails.

“The best thing is the camaraderie. And we help each other out when something breaks on a vehicle. Mine is a 2005 Jeep. I was hooked right from the start. I’ve put $25,000 to $30,000 worth of parts into the Jeep.” Mr. Kaminski said with a laugh.

“Now, it’s only worth $8,000 because of what it looks like. I rebuilt it from scratch. I built it and eventually will sell it.” His fiancée, Julie Dube, has a Jeep, too, that she drives. “There are a lot of lady wheelers.”

Mr. Manseau said he spends between $3,000 and $5,000 a year on his Jeep.

“If someone breaks down — and they tend to break — we play hard. This does cost a lot of money.”

Justin St. Pierre, who came with Mr. Conroy from Wallingford, Conn., sums it up, “This hobby relaxes me. It’s a chance for me to hang out with great guys and test the Jeep.”

He added, “You’re continually challenging yourself to get the truck beyond its limits.”

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